PRE-TRAINING CAMP: Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick said he has been cleared to return to action, and he talked about the back injury he suffered in the final weeks of the 2011-12 regular season, the surgery he had to correct the problem, and his recovery. Also includes audio interviews and a photo gallery from the January 8 informal skate.

LA Kings goalie Jonathan Quick stretches out to make a glove save
during an informal skate at the Toyota Sports Center
in El Segundo, California on January 8, 2013.
Photo: David Sheehan

EL SEGUNDO, CA — As the National Hockey League lockout finally begins to fizzle out, with ratification of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by NHL owners and players expected to be completed sometime this weekend, players throughout the league are making their way back to their teams, and are getting out on the ice as quickly as possible, even though, technically, the lockout continues.

Autographed merchandise will be auctioned, including pucks, sticks, and game-worn jerseys. You can also bid on a chance to coach one of the teams.

“The Twin Peaks Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to supporting breast cancer education, early detection and research,” the foundation stated in a press release. “Breast cancer affects more than just those diagnosed; it affects spouses, children, family members and friends.”

FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: In part six of a series featuring the long-time broadcasters of the Los Angeles Kings, play-by-play announcers Bob Miller and Nick Nickson shared their thoughts on the Kings and their dominating run through the 2012 playoffs, including their expectations going in, and how they changed as the Kings got past the first round. Interestingly, their color commentator partners, Jim Fox and Daryl Evans, respectively, shared perspectives that differed considerably from those of Miller and Nickson. They shared their thoughts in part seven.

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — As most who follow hockey know by now, the Los Angeles Kings barely squeaked into the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, only to dominate every opponent, earning a 16-4 record on their way to winning the first Stanley Cup Championship in the 45-year history of the franchise.

The Kings finally hoisted the Stanley Cup on June 11, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, after winning Game 6 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, 6-1, over the New Jersey Devils, eliminating them in six games.

Looking ahead to 2012-13, can Los Angeles Kings star center Anze Kopitar, shown here during the team’s
Stanley Cup Championship Rally on June 14, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, avoid the prolonged
slumps that have plagued him throughout his career?
(click to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES — Although it certainly ended with a huge bang, the 2011-12 season was one of struggle for the Los Angeles Kings, given the fact that they qualified for the playoffs by the skins of their teeth.

Los Angeles Kings rookie right wing Jordan Nolan (foreground)
has not looked out of place so far in post-season play.
(click to view a larger image).
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Looking back at the Los Angeles Kings’ first round playoff series win over the Vancouver Canucks, the first things that come to mind are the play of right wing Dustin Brown, and goaltender Jonathan Quick.

There was also a series-winning overtime goal scored by center Jarret Stoll, which, by itself, is significant. But that goal has even greater significance when you look below the surface.

“If you look at the series we just finished, if you think about it, you want to handle the three big guys on their team, even though [center] Ryan Kesler didn’t have as a big a year, numbers-wise,” said Kings head coach Darryl Sutter. “Even strength goals—they didn’t score one, the Sedins and [Kesler]. From our side of it, we got five goals from Jarret Stoll, Dustin Penner, Trevor Lewis, and Brad Richardson, so it’s not always about stars. In fact, we just showed that it wasn’t.” Read more of this post

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